Grants
Program Areas
Through five program areas, the Foundation funds organizations and projects that provide services to underserved and disenfranchised populations with defined needs, with the ultimate goal of improving the quality of life for the people living, working or attending school in the funded communities.
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The Beaumont Foundation from time to time will seek solutions to identified needs through Foundation Initiated Programs. Currently, there are three Foundation Initiated Programs:
- The Children of Fallen Heroes Program was initiated in April of 2005 to honor the service and sacrifice of United States troops. The brainchild of Chairman Wayne A. Reaud, the program awards laptop computers to the children and spouses of military personnel who gave their lives in the ongoing conflicts in Iraq or Afghanistan.
- As part of the Beaumont Foundation's commitment to supporting education, the Reaud Excellence in Education Awards were created to celebrate and recognize superior contributions of teachers whose leadership and dedication inspire a spirit of learning in students of all backgrounds and abilities. Fifteen teachers will be selected annually to receive this prestigious Award and will receive $10,000 each in recognition of their outstanding contributions to the Southeast Texas' education system. The Award Winners will be recognized at an awards banquet each Spring.
- With damage estimates as high as $21 billion, Hurricane Ike is expected to be the third-costliest hurricane in U.S. history, behind Hurricanes Katrina and Andrew. The 250-mile wide storm made landfall Saturday morning, September 13, 2008, on Galveston Island, Texas, as a strong Category 2 hurricane with winds of to 110 mph. Damage was widespread and severe across Orange County, Texas. The storm surge almost completely flooded Bridge City, breached the levee at the City of Orange, and travelled up the Neches River to flood Rose City. The Beaumont Foundation, in partnership with the Reaud Foundation, will host a 2008 Orange County Hurricane Ike Relief "Bicycles and Bibles" Event in December. The Foundation will award 1000 bicycles, bibles, jackets, shoes and other gifts to deserving children from Orange County, Texas from families who suffered devastating economic losses due to Hurricane Ike.
The future of our Nation depends upon how we protect and nurture our children and youth. Today, many children and youth have lives marked with abandonment, disruption, insecurity, loneliness, neglect, abuse, danger and fear. Others have disabilities or diseases that may prevent them from fitting in at school or participating in activities that other kids their age are able to experience. Some are placed in a child welfare system that moves them from foster home to foster home, making it impossible to establish friendships or to keep up with their peers in school, resulting in failure and alienation.
In addressing the needs of children (ages 0-14), we know much of what works and we know the powerful economic and social justifications for early investment. Tackling the needs of youth (ages 15-24) is more challenging. Today's youth represent the largest cohort ever to enter the transition into adulthood and the issues they face – unemployment, lack of schooling and skills, risky behaviors, violence – represent enormous economic and social costs to society.
The Foundation believes that every child deserves to feel they have value, to feel loved, and to feel that they have something special to offer to the world, thus we collaborate with non-profit organizations who strive to improve the conditions of children who are living in less fortunate situations.
Knowledge empowers choices that influence our social and family environment, health and mental well being, career and income, home and neighborhood, and community and world view. The correlation between quality of education and quality of life is undeniable. It is one of the most powerful instruments for reducing poverty and inequality and lays a foundation for sustained economic growth. The Foundation recognizes how important it is for young people, especially those who face greater challenges in life, to attend and graduate from college.
Grants for education are made in the following areas:
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Program support aimed at preparing underserved students for college.
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Grants to colleges and universities for scholarships.
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Endowed funds to colleges and universities for scholarships to needy students.
The Beaumont Foundation dedicates resources to meet the unmet health care needs, provide lodging to families who are receiving medical treatment away from their home communities, and increase the availability of accessible and quality health-related services for underserved populations.
The Foundation provides support to community social service agencies that provide services the in following areas:
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Support basic needs, such as food, clothing, shelter and other direct aid for indigent, low income and other underserved populations.
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Serve the elderly by providing services to help senior citizens live independently.
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Promote economic self-sufficiency through education and training of youth and adults.
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Offer after school programs for economically disadvantaged children.
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Respond to an increasing demand, especially among families, for housing services. Whether it is housing counseling, help with home repair, rent or mortgage assistance, temporary shelter, or transitional housing.